Introduction to Research

Course Details

Course Number: 5053  Section Number: 170

Fall 2010

Location: Daniel Building

Classroom Number: 133

Days & Times:

Wed. 530-820

Course Attachments

Syllabus  EDUC5053SyllabusRegularTerm.doc

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Matthew Capps   
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Course Objectives

To provide students the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary

1) to read, understand, and appreciate research,

2) to write a mini-literature review, and

3) to outline a potential research investigation


Course Expectations

Unit assignments (6 units)                                                      25 points each

Bring research topic                                                                required          

Draft 1 mini-literature review(tentative due date)                 25 points        

Final mini-literature review (tentative due date)                    55 points     

Course Assignment Descriptions:

1. One of the main purposes of this class is for you to understand what it is you are reading as you peruse the literature of your topic. We will discuss in detail various aspects of research in class after you have read the required chapters. In addition, each unit of study will have several papers with questions for you to answer to check for understanding. They are worth 25 points each and represent an assessment of your understanding. Due Date – see syllabus

 

2. Research topic -You will decide on a general topic of interest related to your career field that will impact your practice. Based upon your reading and your career field, you will narrow your interest to a single research question.

 

3. Draft 1 mini-literature review – Based upon readings, lecture and activities in class, you will develop a draft mini-literature review for your research question. See rubric.

 

4. Final mini-literature review – Based on feedback from your professor, you will correct, clarify, reorganize, refine, and polish your Draft 1 mini-literature review.  See rubric.


Final Exam12/8/2010  530

Submission Format Policy

All papers will be submitted and scored according to APA format 6th edition.

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

No credit is available for late assignments

No opportunity is available for extra credit


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

One of the topics we will cover is correlations. There seems to be a strong, positive correlation between attendance in this class and student performance. However, bear in mind that unexplained variance does occur in the regression model that calculates the total performance equation. If you don’t know what this means, you probably should come to class. However, it is your grade. Do what you feel is best.


Other Policies

Plagiarism Statement

“By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a ‘limited right’ in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The ‘limited right’ shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and educational purposes.” (Student Handbook)

Plagiarism is defined as claiming credit for the work of another or blatantly improper/inadequate citation and documentation of sources of information (ideas) or direct quotations.  Plagiarism is a serious form of academic dishonesty.  If you are found to have committed plagiarism in this class, you will be dropped from the class with an F.   


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.